PHILTOA
visits MisOcc
Oroquieta
City – THE PREMIER ASSOCIATION of travel operators in the country
came to the province of Misamis Occidental last Friday for a three-day
familiarization tour. The Philippine Tour Operators Association or PHILTOA
was joined by the Philippine Tourism Agency (PTA) Media Bureau, and
some travel operators based in the Visayas.
The
Misamis Occidental Provincial Government invited the group to help in
the province’s drive for tourism promotion, and re-opening of
the province’s doors to tourists, specially for the 75th Anniversary
Celebrations of the province come this November.
The
group, headed by PHILTOA President Leo Picaso, visited the various historical
landmarks, provincial government projects, the Hoyohoy Highland Gardens,
and the Misamis Occidental Aquamarine Park (MOAP) in Sinacaban town.
The
group’s three-day visit was highlighted by a luncheon fellowship
with Tangub City Mayor Jennifer Tan, and Governor Loreto Leo Ocampos
at the Hoyohoy Highland Park in Brgy. Hoyohoy, Tangub City. After which,
they were treated at the MOAP Marine Rescue and Recreation Center (MRRC)
to an afternoon of swimming at white sand island and a small picnic
at the MRRC Cottage.
“We
have invited this group of tour operators to help us in our drive to
promote the tourism in our province. Most specially that we are celebrating
our Diamond Jubilee this November, we need all the help in the promotion
of Anniversary and the twelve activities we will hold during the celebration,”
Governor Ocampos said.
Twelve
thrilling events deck the calendar halls of November. The Celebrations
will kick-off on November 4 at the Misamis Occidental Enterprise Development
and Research Center (MOEDRC) with the Misamis Occidental Product EXPO,
a showcase of the province’s products. The Tilapia Culinary Festival
will bring in the ‘Tilapia Fever’ to the province.
Super-fun
activities follow as the Misamis Occidental Aquamarine Park AquaSports
and Recreation Area at the Puting Balas Island opens with an AquaSports
Recreation Jamboree, SCUBA Diving Safari, and Fluvial Parade. Sports
enthusiasts as well as politicians and businessmen can mingle while
unwinding and enjoying the Misamis Occidental National Golf Cup, National
Chess and Tennis Open, while those looking for a higher adrenaline dose
will surely like our treat: The Mt. Malindang Climb Challenge, Mt. Malindang
Paragliding Show, Eco-Adventure Race, and the Misamis Occidental Shooting
Competition.
The
visiting group was the first to be housed at the recently completed
MOAP Hotels, and Guest Cottages. The fifteen tour operators and PTA
media bureau members stayed at the Park during the whole duration of
the visit – an additional feature of the premier Aquamarine Park
in Northern Mindanao.
The
group stayed until the morning of Sunday, October 10 with their baggage
full of Pasalubongs and delicacies courtesy of the Provincial Government.
(Karl Imanoel Aoanan – PIA 10, MisOcc)
